The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the battlefield.

The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace.

The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing-loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed.

Did You Know?

• The on-board cannon can fire up to 6,600 rounds per minute!
• There has never been an F-15 shot down. It’s had nearly 100 kills!
• The first flight was in 1972 with its first kill in 1979 in Israeli raids against Palestinian factions in Lebanon.

Fast Facts

Engine: Two Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100

Thrust: 23,450 pounds

Wingspan: 42 feet, 8 inches

Length: 63 feet, 8 inches

Height: 18.5 feet

Speed: Mach 2.5 at altitude

Combat Range: 3,000 nautical miles

Ceiling: 65,000 feet

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 68,000 pounds

Fuel Capacity: 13,500 pounds internally

Armament:One internally mounted M-61A1 20-mm, six barrel cannon with 940 rounds of ammunition; four AIM-9 Sidewinder and four AIM-120 AMRAAMs or eight AIM-120 AMRAAMs, carried externally

Crew: One

Unit Cost: $29.9 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)

Inventory: 249

Website: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104501/f-15-eagle/